Hi,
I'm looking at buying a 98 TF advance, which has 113000 kays and is in need of its major service. I'm hoping my friend does it before I buy it, but if not, what can I expect to pay? I wanna do cam belt, spark plugs etc and maybe get the auto serviced.

Also, what are the first mods I should do to get more performance, and what will it cost me roughly?

Thanks
Vanilla Ice

Hi,
I'm looking at buying a 98 TF advance, which has 113000 kays and is in need of its major service. I'm hoping my friend does it before I buy it, but if not, what can I expect to pay? I wanna do cam belt, spark plugs etc and maybe get the auto serviced.

Also, what are the first mods I should do to get more performance, and what will it cost me roughly?

Thanks
Vanilla Ice all magna's should have a major service at 90-100K km!!! this should include timing belt, spark plugs (front and rear, rear are expensive as special ones that only get done every 100K km), fuel filter etc, so you're TF that you're looking at should have had them done only 10K or so ago!!!

As for 1st mods (and we need a FAQ page on this!!), the general consensus is:
~new rear muffler (not whole cat back system as the stock system is a 2¼" system), the Lukey LR2779 is a good straight through muffler and is quiet and relatively cheap ($160 odd installed + tip), but if you wanna spend more go for magnaflow or Japanese brands ($300+) ~ any straight through muff should see about a 5kW-10kW power gain and a better sounding car!!

~pod ($220)/panel filter ($120+) - much discussion over this in the past... but either is good for another 3-5kW power... but if you go the Pod way, you'll need to do a full Cold Air Induction (CAI) for it to be any use!!

~extractors would be the next thing.. there are various versions availiable, but the RPW race spec ones (around $600-$700 i think) sound like the best value, they will increase torque across the range (i'd guess around 5%) with a little more up top!

after that there are a few other power up's and a ECU piggyback chip (either Unichip or Emanage) is a popular choice, but from here i'ld start getting the handling sorted out ~ springs whiteline or Kings, choice of low or superlow ($400-$600), new shocks ($500) strut brace etc... and some wheels 17"+ $1500 onwards!!!

do service your Auto Tranny before you start Power mods.

Sorry to break it to ya, due to the Auto gearbox + Torque Convert, all mods you do will result in slightly less gains compared to the figures quoted by people with Manual cars. The down side to having an Auto is that even though the mod you installed did increase power and torque, you won't really feel it as much because the torque convert really kills the slight increase response you get from mods. but nevertheless, if you don't mod, you'll be slow, if you mod, you'll be faster, yet you won't really feel it.

scary ain't it?

well, you could look on the bright side.... at least it will sound better!! :D

nah, all mods will help!! and some engines respond to them better than others (even in exactly the same models!!)

oh another thing, don't get a cheap full out Straight through from the CAT to tip straight through cannon milo can, there will be so much drone inside your car, and being an auto, it's hard to control where you want your RPM to be, it can be annoying after awhile, but i guess the novality of a straight through muffler seems attractive.

oh another thing, someone may correct me if i'm wrong, straight through mufflers will reduce back pressure, it reduces it so much that you start to lose out on bottom end torque, and I tell you something, being a Auto, you want some bottom end torque coz you can't drop clutches like manuals.

Thanks for all the replies. I've learnt heaps already, now all I need to know is how much the 100,000 kay service will cost me.
As for the exhaust, its a bit droney as of late, so I think its rooted, so I guess its a good time to get a decent exhaust on the thing.
Vanilla Ice

dont expect to pay any less then $700 for your 100k service *gulp*

mitsu RRP is i think $850 or there abouts :oops: :oops:

NOT CHEAP! :(

dont expect to pay any less then $700 for your 100k service *gulp*

mitsu RRP is i think $850 or there abouts :oops: :oops:

NOT CHEAP! :(

YIPES!!!! You just made me think I have a bargain! Getting 3 year used car warrenty from dealer - fixed price servicing of $190 per scheduled service including parts and labour. I know it's a rip off for most services, but at least it means when the big one comes it won't sting as much!
BTW I do my own minor servicing (eg oil, filters, hoses, coolant, plugs, brakes). Started doing own basic maintenance after getting all brake pads replaced for $492 inc machining!